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Welcome to the Youth Development Football League!

We offer football and cheerleading programs for children age 5 to 14 in Charlotte, Concord, and Huntersville North Carolina.

The Youth Development Football League’s philosophy is to teach the fundamentals of football and cheerleading, which prepares each player or cheerleader for their next level of play.

Our organization was developed for our children to have fun and have a place that allows them to focus their energies in a positive manner while at the same time keeping them off the streets. Our teaching goals go well beyond the game of football. We instill in our children useful lifelong values such as teamwork, respect for others, commitment, strong work ethics, how to establish and achieve goals and but not least the values of education.

Football, as life itself, is extremely competitive. Although we don't believe in a win at all cost attitude, we do stress the importance of winning. Winning is important as long as it is accomplished by good sportsmanship and the values previously mentioned. Also, the will to win is the most important, you must want before you can achieve your goal.

As our ultimate goal, the YDFL’s philosophy can be summarized as the development of a child’s skills and character, preparing them to be a Winner in Life.

The Youth Development Football League is a 501 (c) (3) tax exempt, non-profit Corporation organized under the laws of the state of North Carolina.

History

Ethan S. Horton

Ethan Horton is the Marketing Director of The Best of Knowledge a locally owned Company in North Carolina that's been in business for 12 years. In addition to starting a career in business, Time Warner Cable has made Horton part of it's High School Football Coverage and WBTV uses Horton's knowledge on it's Sunday Night (call – in ) Sports TV Show The Point After ! He is a certified Gender Violence Prevention trainer for High School and College Students. A Football Instructor for Football University and the NFL for their Prep 100 Leadership Series. In 2014, The ACC recognized him as a football Legend and in 2014 he was inducted into the Cabarrus County Hall of Fame.

Horton began his career in football as an All- American quarterback for A.L. Brown High School in Kannapolis, N.C. From there, Horton went on to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he won accolades as a first-team All-ACC running back and 1984 ACC Player of the Year. In 1985, Horton was the 15th overall pick in the NFL draft. He was a running back for the Kansas City Chiefs ('85) and was a highly decorated tight end with the Los Angeles Raiders ('87, '89-'93) and Washington Redskins ('94). Horton's skills as a tight end were recognized by the NFL by naming him to the Pro Bowl in 1992.

Collecting a fortress this big demands using multiple LEGO cubes. Many of our team's appreciators have gave awayOur team members from their private selection, however the purpose would not be achieved without the lavish support of many of allies.

Horton's football experience, coupled with collegiate training in Communications, launched his career in radio and television broadcasting. Listeners in the Charlotte-metro area have experienced Horton's quick wit and lively debates on a number of WFNZ's sports programs including, Prime Time, The Players Club, and Weekend Warriors. Prior to joining WFNZ, Horton served as a sports studio analyst for WCCB Fox 18 . Horton's broadcasting roster also includes being a game analyst for High School Sports covering Football State Championships for News Channel 14, an analyst for College Football on Fox Sports Net, Post Game –Wrap up Show Carolina Panthers, Panther Pre-Season games and Co-Hosting Inside the Game for Urban Sports and Entertainment .

A native North Carolinian, Horton's commitment to the community is solid. He spends time mentoring students on the importance of team building and leadership. He also participates in a number of celebrity golf outings to raise funds for United Way affiliates and other community based organizations. Horton used his extensive knowledge of football to start The Youth Development Football League and The Developing Minds, Bodies and Character Afterschool Program, a non-profit organization serving youth in the Charlotte ,Huntersville and Concord area. Horton provides motivational speaking to secondary and high school students, as well as civic groups in the Carolinas.

Horton is a former member of the Belk Bowl Board of Advisors, and a board member of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Mental Health and the Kannapolis Education Foundation . As a member of First Baptist Church West, Horton ensures he balances religious, civic duties, family, and work responsibilities. Horton and his wife, Lawanda, live in the Charlotte area with their two sons, Jay and Kyle.